Adaptable bracket assembly for facilitating storehouse flue space

ABSTRACT

The general purpose of the new vertical adaptable bracket assembly is to provide a pallet rack load stop system wherein a novel bracket combines with existing beams to easily create a load stop for use on all storage levels of pallet racks, including at top-level near fire sprinkler system components where specified clearance is required by law.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 62/022,212, filed on Jul. 9, 2014, entitled “VERTICAL ADAPTABLE BRACKET ASSEMBLY FOR PALLET RACKS,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the new vertical adaptable bracket assembly is to provide a pallet rack load stop system wherein a novel bracket combines with existing beams to easily create a load stop for use on all storage levels of pallet racks, including at top-level near fire sprinkler system components. The primary benefit of the new vertical bracket is that it prevents goods stored on pallets from interfering with government-required sprinkler systems and other regulations related to large-scale storage of product, such as in warehouses. The current invention improves on previous products in that it imposes space restrictions on both lateral and longitudinal flue space for upper levels of storage pallets to facilitate compliance with fire codes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the new bracket assembly is to provide a simple, yet versatile and adaptable mechanism for restricting the distance between loaded pallets and between a top-rack pallet and the ceiling. In general, the bracket assembly secures to a horizontal beam in a similar fashion as a vertical pallet rack beam is connected to a horizontal pallet rack beam. The vertical bracket assembly can be attached to a horizontal beam such that the bracket is angled either perpendicular to the top of the horizontal beam or perpendicular to the side of the horizontal beam. By attaching perpendicular to the top, the new vertical bracket serves to prevent pallets, including goods stored thereon, from interfering with the storage house's fire sprinkler system.

By attaching perpendicular to the side, the new vertical bracket serves to prevent overhanging pallets, including goods stored thereon, from being positioned too close to each other. Many government fire codes require a minimum of six (6) inches of clearance between pallets of product and the nearest storage house wall for fire sprinkler effectiveness. The same is true for pallets of product on racks that are situated back-to-back. Likewise, there must be six inches of clearance between pallets of product on horizontally adjacent rows. One vertical load stop bracket, for example, can be used to protect and maintain flue space on both sides of pallet racks that are set back to back by preventing overhanging pallets and product from being positioned closer than six inches from one another.

The sum of these advantages unify with the novel device for ensuring adequate spacing between pallets and between pallets and the walls and ceiling of a storage house, resulting in an invention that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art support, either alone or in any combination thereof.

These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty characterizing the invention, are described with particularity in the claims herewith. A more comprehensive understanding of the features, operation and uses of the invention may be gleaned from reference to the enclosed drawings and descriptive matter further illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention.

The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It should be further understood that the phraseology and terminology applied herein merely serve the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly as attached to a single horizontal beam and two, back-to-back vertical beams.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment, a clip-on embodiment, of the new bracket assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly in use.

FIGS. 5A-5D collectively illustrate the various views of the “clip-on” embodiment of the new bracket assembly.

FIGS. 6A-6E collectively illustrate the various views of the “bolt-on” embodiment of the new bracket assembly.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an exploded perspective view and a perspective view, respectively, of another embodiment of the new adaptable bracket assembly being comprised of two end pieces that are bolted together to form a single bracket.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly as in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly 1 as attached to a single horizontal beam 4 and two, back-to-back vertical beams 6. The new bracket assembly as used on a pallet rack up against a wall to protect items and maintain space required between pallets and a wall for government heath, food safety and fire code requirements. The new bracket assembly 1 attaches via an interlocking end 2 to a horizontal load stop beam 4. The new adaptable bracket assembly 1 further attaches via a securing end 3 a, 3 b to two vertical pallet rack beams 6 via standard bolts 7. Said bracket assembly can be further secured to the upper horizontal beam by bolting the two sides of the interlocking end 2 using one or more standard bolts 5. In the depicted embodiment, the sides of the interlocking end 2 extend below the depth of the horizontal beam 4, and the securing bolt is positioned below the horizontal beam.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment, a clip-on embodiment, of the new bracket assembly 13 showing the rubber padding 9 attached and aligned parallel to the opposing interior sides of the interlocking end 2. The rubber helps prevent slippage or sliding of the bracket. Also depicted are the bolt holes 10 in the respective sides of the securing end 3 a, 3 b.

FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly. As depicted, two adaptable bracket assemblies 13 are positioned between pallets of product 11. One adaptable bracket 13 can be used to protect and maintain flue space as shown on both sides of pallet racks that are set back-to-back. Pallet racks of product 11 are separated by the fire code-required 6-inch longitudinal flue space 14. Pallet racks of product 11 are separated from the ceiling by the fire code-required 3-inch longitudinal flue space when vertical beams 6 are attached to the securing end of the adaptable bracket assembly 13.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly in use. As depicted, two adaptable bracket assemblies 13 are attached to two vertical pallet rack beams 16 via one end and to a horizontal pallet rack beam 12 via the other end. Pallets of product 11 are depicted for reference.

FIGS. 5A-5D collectively illustrate the various views of the “clip-on” embodiment of the new bracket assembly. FIG. 5A shows the top view of the clip-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly. As depicted, ⅜-inch holes 10 enable bolts to hold the securing end 3 a, 3 b of the bracket assembly to standard 3-inch by 1.5-inch or 3-inch by 3-inch vertical beams (not depicted).

FIG. 5B shows the side view of the clip-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly having rubber padding 9 attached and aligned parallel to the opposing interior sides of the interlocking end 2.

FIG. 5C shows the bottom view of the clip-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly having rubber padding 9 attached and aligned parallel to the opposing interior sides of the interlocking end 2.

FIG. 5D shows the front view of the clip-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly having rubber padding 9 attached and aligned parallel to the opposing interior sides of the interlocking end 2.

FIGS. 6A-6E collectively illustrate the various views of the “bolt-on” embodiment of the new bracket assembly. FIG. 6A shows the top view of the clip-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly. As depicted, ⅜-inch holes 10 enable bolts to hold the securing end 3 a, 3 b of the bracket assembly to standard 3-inch by 1.5-inch or 3-inch by 3-inch vertical beams.

FIG. 6B shows the side view of the bolt-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly having a standard bolt 5 and nut 23 secured through bolt holes 20 in opposing sides of the interlocking end 2. In use, the bolt 5 passes beneath the horizontal beam to which the bracket assembly is attached, locking the bracket assembly in place.

FIG. 6C shows the bottom view of the bolt-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly having bolt holes 20, 21 in each of the opposing sides of the interlocking end 2.

FIG. 6D shows the front view of the bolt-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly having bolt holes 20 in the inner side of the interlocking end 2.

FIG. 6E shows the rear view of the bolt-on embodiment of the new bracket assembly having bolt holes 20 in the outer side of the interlocking end 2.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an exploded perspective view and a perspective view, respectively, of another embodiment of the new adaptable bracket assembly being comprised of two end pieces that are bolted together to form a single bracket. FIG. 7A shows the interlocking end 2 of the bracket 1 having a bolt hole 24 in both sides of the interlocking end 2. The securing end 3 a, 3 b is fortified by a plate 8 attached perpendicularly to the two sides 3 a, 3 b of the securing end. The plate 8 has a bolt hole (not depicted). FIG. 7B shows the interlocking end 2 and the securing end 3 a, 3 b connected by a bolt 5 and nut 23 passing through the bolt holes in the plate 8 of the securing end and the two sides of the interlocking end 2.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the new bracket assembly as in use. The interlocking side 2 of the bracket assembly is depicted as positioned on a horizontal pallet rack beam 4, being secured via a bolt 5 and nut 23 passing through the two sides of the interlocking end 2 and passing below the horizontal pallet rack beam 4. The securing end 3 a, 3 b of the bracket is shown as bracketing two vertical beams 6 and is secured to said vertical beams via bolts 25 and nuts 26 that each pass through complementary bolt holes in each side of the securing end 3 a, 3 b and each of the vertical beams 6.

As to further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of this invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention, the use of which results in a new adaptable bracket assembly for pallet racks.

Although the description presented heretofore contains specificities for the benefit of illustration, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but rather as illustrative examples of some of the several embodiments. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples provided. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adaptable bracket assembly for facilitating storehouse flue space, comprising: a first end unit for attachment to a horizontal pallet rack beam, said first end unit having a top and two sides—and inner and an outer side—and said first end means having a horizontal beam attachment means; a second end unit for attachment to one or more vertical beams, such as vertical pallet rack beams or Unistrut channels, said second end unit having two parallel sides positioned at least 3 inches relative to one another, each side being a plate and each said plate having a plurality of holes complimentary to those of the opposing plate, said holes being large enough to accommodate ⅜-inch bolts; and a connection means for connecting the first and second end units to each other.
 2. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner side of the first end unit contains one or more bolt holes and the second end unit further comprises a third plated side being attached perpendicularly to said sides, said third side having bolt holes complementary to those of said inner side of the first end unit; and the connection means being one or more bolts connecting the first and second end means through said complementary bolt holes.
 3. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the connection means is welding, where the two sides of the second end unit are welded perpendicularly to the outside vertical edges of the inner side of the first end means.
 4. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is a bolt-on means, where the inner and outer sides of the first end unit are each of such a length that they extend below a standard horizontal pallet rack beam when the adaptable bracket assembly is in use, and wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is one or more corresponding bolt-size hole in each of the two sides of the first end unit.
 5. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is a clip-on means, where the outer side of the first end means is of a length approximately equal to the width of a standard horizontal pallet rack beam and where a horizontal flange is attached longitudinally and perpendicularly to the bottom edge of the outer side, such that the flange extends toward the inner side of the first end means.
 6. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 5 further comprising bumpers, which may be rubber or foam or a comparable substance, and which are adhered to the inside surfaces of the inner and outer sides of the first end unit.
 7. The adaptable bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the horizontal beam attachment means is a clamp-on means, where a clamp having a clamping mechanism and a receiving mechanism each attached to the bottom portion of either the inner side or outer side of the first end unit and positioned such that the clamping mechanism can be secured to the receiving mechanism. 